A head-on collision in Meadowbrook that killed two men and injured two children was triggered when one of the motorists drove the wrong way on Highway 74, authorities said Monday.
Emanuel Esparza, 21, and Carlos Zuniga, 26, both of Perris, were fatally injured about 2:15 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of the highway and Hammack Avenue, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Lassig alleged that Zuniga was at the wheel of a westbound 2003 Ford Mustang that steered into eastbound lanes, traveling at an undetermined speed.
Lassig said that Esparza was driving a 2017 Kia Forte eastbound in the No. 1 lane, also at an unknown speed, and encountered the Mustang coming directly at him but had no time to maneuver out of the way, resulting in a head-on impact.
Both motorists were pronounced dead at the scene by Riverside County Fire Department paramedics.
Lassig said that Esparza’s passengers, identified only as two 15-year-old Perris boys, both suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. They were taken to Inland Valley Medical Center for treatment. There was no word on their conditions Monday.
Drugs or alcohol have not been ruled out as possible factors in the fatal collision, according to the CHP spokesman.
The highway was shut down at the location for three hours while the wreckage was cleared and a preliminary investigation was conducted.